Compact ribbon cassette with integral friction plate

Abstract

A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape upon integrally formed dispensing and storage spools. The dispensing and storage spools are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. An integral, self-adjusting friction plate bears upon the ribbon on the dispensing spool and provides a predetermined, varying drag to maintain uniform ribbon taughtness.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ribbon cassette, comprising: a housing supporting a rotatable shaft for rotation therein;   a dispensing spool of ribbon mounted for rotation upon said rotatable shaft, said dispensing spool dispensing a quantity of ribbon;   a storage spool for storing ribbon dispensed by said dispensing spool of ribbon, said storage spool mounted upon said rotatable shaft adjacent said dispensing spool wherein said dispensing spool and said storage spool are integrally formed about said rotatable shaft;   a friction plate disposed over said dispensing spool, said friction plate bearing upon the ribbon disposed upon said dispensing spool with progressively reducing force, thereby causing a reduced frictional load upon said ribbon being dispensed to compensate for a reduction in radius of said ribbon supply, whereby substantially uniform tension is maintained upon the dispensing spool, such that the ribbon is kept taught as it is dispensed from the dispensing spool;   and a cover for said housing, said cover comprising biasing means for biasing said friction plate to bear upon the ribbon of said dispensing spool, wherein said biasing means comprises at least one leaf spring supported by said cover.   
     
     
       2. The ribbon cassette in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one leaf spring supported by said cover is integrally formed therewith. 
     
     
       3. A ribbon cassette, comprising: a housing supporting a rotatable shaft for rotation therein;   a dispensing spool of ribbon and a storage spool commonly mounted for rotation upon said rotatable shaft, said dispensing spool dispensing a quantity of ribbon to said storage spool;   means disposed in said housing adjacent said dispensing spool for changing elevation and direction of ribbon dispensed from said dispensing spool, whereby said storage spool is able to store the dispensed ribbon of said dispensing spool; and   a friction plate disposed over said dispensing spool, said friction plate bearing upon the ribbon disposed upon said dispensing spool, thereby causing a frictional load upon said ribbon being dispensed, whereby tension is maintained upon the dispensing spool, such that the ribbon is kept taught as it is dispensed from the dispensing spool.   
     
     
       4. The ribbon cassette in accordance with claim 3, wherein said dispensing spool and said storage spool are integrally formed about said rotatable shaft.